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Assist researchers in collecting data on water quality and land use in an ancient agricultural ecosystem within the lush wetlands of Xochimilco.

The Xochimilco wetlands, located just south of Mexico City, help to filter water, regulate weather, protect against storms, support clean air, and protect native species of flora and fauna in Mexico City and neighboring regions. This water system also forms a unique ecosystem for aquatic species, including native species such as the Mexican axolotl salamander and the acocil crayfish, as well as over 140 species of migrating birds.

But these wetlands are being threatened by changing agricultural practices which have turned from traditional small scale farming (a practice that has been around for at least six centuries) to environmentally-intensive agriculture. Not only that, the introduction of exotic species such as carp and tilapia has altered the natural food chain, threatening endemic species.

Conservation of native plants and animals in Xochimilco is strongly linked to the preservation of its wetlands as well as “chinampas” - areas of dry land within the wetlands that support traditional agriculture.

Researchers are looking to understand how land use, agricultural techniques, and seasonality affect the conditions around the chinampas. You’ll help to gather critical data on the presence of endemic species and water and soil quality around the chinampas. This data will be used to increase local awareness of the benefits of traditional agriculture and subsequently, improve ecosystem health.

Activity Level

Lead scientists

Accommodation and food

Why the research is important

Why the research is important

During the last few decades, there have been major changes in water and soil quality due to more intensive farming methods, urban development, and exotic species introduction.

The wetlands of Xochimilco represent many other developing urban areas around the world that suffer from water shortages and diminishing water quality, stemming largely from urbanization.

Researchers and volunteers explore Mexico’s wetlands to gather critical data on the sustainable use of this ecosystem.

The researchers are also conducting an analysis of the economic and ecological values of natural resources in Mexico, with a focus on identifying economic tools for environmental management. They hope to demonstrate to local authorities that general welfare in Xochimilco will be enhanced if a more organic and sustainable agricultural approach is adopted, rather than the intensive agriculture that has been increasingly used over the past few years. The data collected will be used to increase local awareness, improve ecosystem health, and promote sustainable agricultural methods and business strategies to local farmers.

You will assist the researchers by collecting water and soil quality data at various locations throughout the Xochimilco wetlands, testing the effects of different land use and restoration methods on the health of the ecosystem. Water quality data includes dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, eutrophication indicators (nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, and water color), and organic pollution (fecal coliform, enterococos and biological indicators). In addition you will collect data on the presence of endemic species such as the axolotl salamander as well as indicator species such as macroinvertebrates.

Your data will contribute to a multiyear-long study on water quality where data is collected during both the dry and wet seasons. This data is also being collected as part of Earthwatch’s FreshWater Watch Program - a massive global research project investigating the health of freshwater ecosystems.

About the research area

Xochimilco, Mexico, Mexico, Central America & The Caribbean

The Xochimilco wetlands are a freshwater system that comprise 182 kilometers of canals and 2,600 hectares of small lakes and chinampas, land within the canals that supports a traditional system of farming that was first used by the Aztecs over 500 years ago. The word chinampas is derived from the Nahuatl word chinamtli which means “fence of reeds.”

This system was constructed in the shallows of Xochimilco Lake which, during the rainy season, naturally mixed its waters with the other four lakes located in the Mexico Basin. As a result, Xochimilco Lake had sediment that was rich in nutrients and supported a diverse array of plant and animal communities for the people of the Mexican Plateau.

In addition to providing habitat for endemic flora and fauna, the wetlands of Xochimilco are also responsible for a number of other environmental and economic services, such as carbon sequestration, microclimate regulation, fisheries, and fertile land for agriculture. Despite the recent degradation of water and soil quality due to intensive agriculture and urbanization, the Xochimilco wetlands still occupy 2,600 hectares of the Federal District of Mexico City, or 8% of the city’s total land mass, and support 140 species of migratory birds and native species such as the axolotl salamander and acocil crayfish.

When you arrive, the researchers will provide you with information on studying water quality in the wetlands of Xochimilco. Field work will begin on Day 1 where you will:

Collect water quality data: Using large or small canoes or “canoas” you will be visiting various sites to sample canal water and invertebrates. In the floating laboratory you will test for the presence of heavy metals, bacteria and nutrients in these water samples.

Study local agriculture practices: By visiting local farms you will be exposed to a variety of techniques which have different impacts on crops and the environment. You will be collecting soil samples from farms to study some of the impacts.

Sample for endemic species: The Axolotl is an endemic salamander to Xochimilco that is endanger of extinction. You will help scientists sample new areas where the salamander may be present.

In the evenings, you’ll be able to relax, play games at the accommodations, and have evening lectures and activities with staff.

Note: Field conditions and research needs can lead to changes in the itinerary and activities. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Experience the lush wetlands of Xochimilco while collecting data on water quality and land use.

The Scientists

MEET THE LEAD SCIENTIST

ABOUT Claudia Ponce de Leon

Dr. Claudia Ponce de Leon is a faculty member at UNAM in charge of the Environmental Analysis Unit and the Ecology and Natural Resources Area in the Faculty of Sciences. She has a PhD from the University of Cincinnati and a Master's degree from the University of East Anglia. Dr. Ponce de Leon specializes in water chemistry and the effects caused by environmental stressors on aquatic organisms, communities and ecosystems.

MEET THE OTHER SCIENTISTS

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations and Food

Eco house and gardens

Homemade local cuisine

Wireless internet access

For the full duration of the expedition, you will stay at Casa Xitla, a house managed by a local non-profit called Lekil Kuxlejal. The house is located in Tlalpan, one of the 16 administrative boroughs in Mexico City and well known for having over 80 percent of its land set aside for conservation purposes. The house has two separate buildings that can accommodate three to four large groups at a time. Your team will stay in a private building with four large bedrooms (with five beds in each). There are also two smaller bedrooms that will be occupied by your field team leaders. Presentations can be conducted in a reserved meeting room or outside in the beautiful gardens.

Casa Xitla is an eco-friendly site. During the rainy season, water is collected and filtered. Grey water is treated to be used in gardens and for cleaning. Therefore, the manager asks to use the soap and shampoo they provide because its designed formula prevents high quantity of phosphates in water. The accommodation also recycles and composts. Both breakfast and dinner will be served in the main dining room of Casa Xitla. Lunch will be served at the research site by local cooks.

“Wonderful chance to discover a fast-disappearing part of México City”

I am 75 years old and needed an expedition that was “easy” and didn’t involve long hikes. I am usually more interested in animal studies, but learning about this area of Mexico City was appealing. I ended up really loving this project and was sad to leave. In addition to the work, which involves preparing soil and water samples for the lab (all new to me), the exploration of the history of the Chinampas and the conservation issues are fascinating, and I developed a new interest in salamanders. I never knew there were so many green areas in Mexico City! We had time to tour an archaeological site and visit the botanical garden at the University, and to go to Coyoacán on the last day. I got a ticket to visit the Frida Kahlo Casa Azul Museum (get it online in advance). The food was wonderful, the Casa Xitla is beautiful (small rooms: used to be a convent), and the thunderstorms at night gave me a cozy feeling. The staff is wonderful and helpful.

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Gilbert Schweser|Monday, September26, 2016

“Sustainable farming”

This was my 26th Earthwatch project and one of the best.

The team leaders were knowledgeable, personable and spoke great English.

Mexico City turned out to be a great place. Since the projects were in the city we got a taste is city life and traffic. I felt safe at all times.

The farmers we worked with were truly dedicated to improving their environment and water quality.

I learned more about the need for sustainability in my week on this project than years of reading about it.

We did water testing, helped build proto type water cleansing systems, soil testing in sample plots trying to reduce salinity.

We also discussed with farmers their problems. These included 1. An organic cactus farmer, 2. A flower farmer and 3. a vegetable producer. All great people willing to share their problems with us.

The list goes on and on ...

I also loved Xochimilco where the chinampas (the old Aztec lake bed garden) ... worth the trip alone.

Also our water quality tests to help out the axolotl

(Salamander) was interesting, as was the visit to the National University of Mexico to visit the research station studying them.

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